BarkBox Review - Dog Toys, Treats & Gifts Monthly Subscription Box

BarkBox is a monthly subscription box for dogs that includes toys and treats. Every delivery includes at least two toys, two treats, and one chew that are based on a single theme. You can expect up to 50 percent off from retail prices with each box valued at $40 or more. The first box ships immediately and following boxes ship on the 15th of every month.

How It Works

No matter what size selection or subscription length you choose, each monthly pet subscription box arrives with a collection of themed items. While overall item counts can vary, at a minimum, each box will contain two toys, two all-natural treat choices, and one dog chew.

Themes include “The Knights of the Hound Table” with dragon and knight toys, “Chewrassic Bark” with volcano and dinosaur toys, “New York City” with pizza and statue of liberty toys and more. Not only do the toys adhere to the theme, but the bags of treats follow as well, both in terms of packaging and flavors.

Pricing is the same regardless of breed and size. The first step in the process is choosing what size dog you have:

“Small and Cute” 0-20 pounds

“Just Right” 20-50 pounds

“Big & Bold” 50+ pounds

After you select a dog size, then you can choose a monthly plan from four subscription options which vary in length and billing terms.

Selections include a 12 Month Subscription billed monthly, a 6 Month Subscription either billed monthly or all at once, and a Monthly Subscription billed monthly. The most popular selection is the 6 Month Subscription, which amounts to $23 box when you pre-pay.

After clicking on a subscription type, you can choose to add an extra premium toy for $9 per month. Simply click “Yes, Please” or “No, Thank You,” then you’ll go to the subscription page to fill out your billing information and create an account.

Once the information fields are complete, you’re one click away from making your order and receiving your first box.

Gift subscriptions are also available for 1, 3, 6, or 12-month periods. Gift plans include standard treats, toys, and also that premium toy that’s optional on regular subscription plans. Gift cards are also available, along with single themed boxes for standalone purchase.

What Makes BarkBox Unique?

For anyone who’s passionate about their pups, BarkBox is a fun surprise for pet owners and their dogs to enjoy each month. And because they select toys and treats based on each dog’s size, you’ll help avoid disappointment from oversized or undersized toys.

Plus, each toy is curated by staff who are dog owners themselves. That means they know what to look for when it comes to picking toys dogs will love. It also means they have built-in on-site product testers. And they even offer free replacement items if your pup is not satisfied with the items in their box.

What We Like

Same price regardless of breed or size

Option for an additional surprise toy

The company supports rescues, shelters, and nonprofit organizations that help dogs

What Could Be Better

Personalization beyond dog size

More subscription tier options

Pricing & What’s Included

While all subscribers receive the same themed items each month, there are multiple subscription options. After selecting the size of your dog (plans are for small dogs, medium dogs, and large dogs), you can choose from different billing options with separate pricing tiers.

Monthly

While the most expensive option, the Monthly Subscription is also the most versatile. The monthly cost comes to $29.00 per box and you can cancel any time. Shipping is still free for this box, too.

6 Month (Billed Today)

The 6 Month Subscription, when billed all at once, is the most popular subscription option. The monthly total comes out to $23.00 per box. This plan automatically renews and shipping is always free.

6 Month (Billed Monthly)

At $25.00 per month, a 6 Month Subscription billed monthly is still a great deal, given that boxes are worth around $40 or more. Automatic renewal and free shipping are included.

12 Month

Other Items

The only additional fees on top of each subscription box is the optional premium toy, which adds $9 to the total monthly cost.

Of course, you can always shop in the BarkShop for more toy options from the creators of the company. If your pet loves the toys and treats from their monthly or gift subscription, you can find many of the same and similar items in the online store.

BarkBox Reviews

The company has a three-star average out of 65 reviews on Trustpilot, and a similar rating on HighYa thanks to over 170 customer reviews.

Overall, BarkBox reviews from both HighYa and Trustpilot are quite evenly divided between five-star and one-star, with a few variable reviews in between.

On HighYa, in general, subscribers report that their dogs enjoy the treats and toys. For most, the complimentary replacement items were helpful when pets didn’t like a particular toy or treat.

Also, the fact that most of the treats are grain-free is ideal for many pet owners who avoid grains in their pet food. The few negative reviews center on billing and shipping issues, with some reviewers explaining that they either never received an order or that it had numerous delays before finally arriving.

On Trustpilot, the top compliments are great customer service and super fast shipping. Some reviewers note relatively poor toy quality, given that their dogs either ripped or shredded toys within a few minutes of opening the box.

However, many also appreciate customer service’s replacing destroyed toys and making changes to future toy shipments. Therefore, it’s tough to look at the BarkBox reviews and make a judgment due to the contrast in positive and negative reviews.

Here's an unboxing video from Chibushu Pet:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions potential subscribers ask about this company.

How Can I Cancel My Subscription?

To cancel an existing subscription, you’ll need to log into your account. Then click on “Subscriptions” at the top of the page. Select “CANCEL NEXT PLAN.” Note that renewals start on the 3rd of each month, so you’ll want to cancel before that time.

Keep in mind that if you cancel in the middle of a 6 or 12-month plan, you’ll still receive the remaining boxes in the subscription. To cancel mid-subscription, you’ll need to call the company directly.

How Can I Contact Customer Service?

You can contact their customer service via email at happy@barkbox.com.

When Does It Ship?

For first orders, boxes ship immediately. For subsequent boxes, orders ship on the 15th of each month. Shipping is free to the US and Canada, and the company does not charge an additional shipping fee.

Are There Boxes For Dogs With Allergies?

According to the company, every subscription box is already wheat-, corn-, and soy-free to cover the most common pet allergies. However, if your pet has allergies to beef, chicken, and turkey- a far less common issue- there’s also an allergy-friendly box. You’ll need to contact the company directly for this option, however, as it’s not an option via online signup.

What If My Dog Doesn’t Like An Item?

The company will replace items if you or your dog have a complaint. Whether it’s a flavor they don’t enjoy or a toy they rip apart, the company maintains a replacement policy free of charge. Just contact them for help on getting a new toy for your pup, as per BarkBox reviews online.

Company History

The company is based in New York and started with a group of co-founders that include Matt Meeker, one of the co-founders of the social networking site Meetup.com. Matt is from the East coast and attended the University of Minnesota for a degree in Marketing and Finance.

The dog box subscription service is part of the larger Bark & Co. umbrella, which includes a dog-themed content site, a photo-sharing app, and a “Tinder for Dogs” app.

Check out the video below to see the company's most recent TV commercial!